Headstall

A cowboy's work is never done...

Happy Friday, all! Have you read my new western anthology story yet?

Absolutely captivating story of life and love for two unlikely characters. The author spins a great tale, and does it deftly. What else can I say except read this! Cheers!

My eyes are bleary and tired, but I am smiling. This was a wonderful read, Mrsgnomie. I admit I read it in installments throughout the day, because I'm old and I had chores to take care of, but coming back to it was seamless. It was so very well written, and filled with endearing, challenging, and fascinating characters. All in all, it had all the elements a good romance needs, and even a few extra. Loved the humor, the charm, the flow... and oh lord... Jensen. I'll take one of him any day. Kudos and Cheers! Gary....

I appreciate that, Dan. Humor is a big part of my writing, at least in the majority of my stories, because humor is an important part of life. In truth, I have spent a lot of my writing time laughing too, especially during this story. It balances out all the tears. Cheers, and thanks once again.

Good morning, Mr. B.

We call that bull rustling. Can hang for that.

How did you hold the camera while wearing a straitjacket?

Lol. We all have something that drives us crazy. Rereading this chapter, I cringe at some of the writing, but the message gets through, and that's what's important. One day I plan on doing some serious editing. Michael has a hell of a supportive family... and Kendall, not so much. We'll hear more about them in the future chapters. Thanks, buddy. Cheers! G.

Aww... thank you, Dan. You are too kind. Writing lovemaking scenes wasn't exactly easy for me back then, but how could I not let them express their love in this intimate way. Some readers skip such scenes, and I totally understand that, but I had to include them when it felt right. Yeah, maybe some foreshadowing... . Cheers! Gary....

Don't you just love love? These guys, these best friends, have found something truly special, something some of us can only dream of. I adore these guys, and the fact they can be so vulnerable in that love. Neither man is afraid to be sappy, and I find that the most attractive trait. Glad 'Moondoggie' cracks you up. Us old guys have a wealth of trivia knowledge to draw on, stuff that makes us smile and takes us back. I won't give you any spoilers about what comes next, but we know these guys pretty well now. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me, buddy. It truly makes my day. Cheers!

Happy Thursday, all!

Damn! I paid ninety cents for my brains.

I knew "Sidewinder" fans would pick up on that description. Right from the beginning I wanted them to end up in Larkspur, and if this hadn't have been an anthology story, and thus a short one, that is where my story would have taken them. I still see Larkspur in my dreams, it has become so real to me. I can see Bone and Coy's laneway, and Mitch's bridge. I also knew without a doubt that you would know exactly who the doctor was, and that it would trigger your thoughts about him possibly being Boone's father. That part was really fun. You make a good point about Virgil and Boone having some similarities in their demeanor. I love having you in my literary world, my platonic friend. We will have our Mondays again one day. Thanks for your encouraging and uplifting support. it means a lot to me. Cheers!

Vern was just a mouthy drunk with some stupid opinions. Lucas was a traitor to his town, and he was a predator. Maybe we could have some sympathy that the man struggled with his inclinations, but I have a hard time with that. I don't see any redeeming qualities with him. He had no right to do what he did, and he had no right to control Wyatt's life in any shape or form. Yep. Projection. Sometimes it works, but smart people tend to see through it. Lucas was a fool to run his drunken mouth like he did, and he never should have humiliated Wyatt when Virgil was right upstairs. He asked for trouble, and he got it. He practically hung himself. Kissing? Ain't been none of that, my lady. Thanks and cheers! G.

It's easy to miss one short line in a story. That's why rereading can show us stuff we didn't see the first time. So far in all my westerns I have tried to avoid the common cliches, but I can't ignore that gun speed was of primary importance to survival back then. And yeah, you had to be accurate too.

What happened to Wyatt was despicable. No wonder he feels a fool for trusting his 'friend'. He's not a fool, though. Just someone who craved acceptance and friendship. That was so sad to write about. Wyatt needed that conversation, and even though Virgil exposed himself to someone he didn't really know, he understood it was a necessity for the young man. We all need to understand ourselves, and in this case Wyatt needed help. Hopefully their talk put him back on track so he could stop hating who he is. You're right about Virgil grieving Norrie long enough. Four years is a long time for a heart to stay closed. Lol. Lottie was barking up the wrong tree with Virgil. I wanted her to be sympathetic, but I also needed to show her hardness at living a hard life. Yeah, teeth need daily care, and there was no good reason not to do that. The fact is, though, hygiene was hit and miss for a lot of folks during that time. Many worked sunup to sundown and were more concerned with feeding themselves that much else. Thanks, my friend. Cheers!

Lol. You can call him Cinco... I like that... but his real name is mentioned... “I saw you and Murray talking." I like that you looked up their names. That shows a lot of interest so far. Yes, there is already a connection that has happened... it happened before they even met, when Wyatt warned Virgil about Lucas's table potentially causing trouble. He had his back too. Virgil is upstanding in every way, and fortunately he has the gun speed to back him up. Still, he was vastly outnumbered, yet spoke his mind about the bigotry of the town. That is to be admired, and Wyatt surely does... admire him. Thanks for the great comment, my friend... I always look forward to hearing your thoughts about my stories... or anything else. Cheers!

Tonya Harding! Yeah, it certainly got the ball rolling. Kendall has some serious thinking to do. Can't help but feel bad for Michael... he's trying. Lots more to come... hope you're enjoying it so far, Dan. Cheers! Gary....

You are preaching to the choir, sir! I'm surprised we men can dress ourselves sometimes. I've been an idiot for large portions of my own life, pretending I could be happy not being fully myself. I wouldn't change anything... my children are priceless to me... but it is only a matter of time we start to crack. What exactly is going on in Michael's head? At the end of this chapter, is he describing something more than friendship? We shall see, my friend. I must tell you, this story has a lot of elements of my life in it, though it is not autobiographical. Cheers and thanks. G.

Thanks, Dodger. Glad you enjoyed this little western tale. Wyatt and Virgil will have a lot of time to get to know one another on their trip to Larkspur. Please recommend this to others... it feels really good to be writing again. Cheers!

Virgil might have acted cool, but he was terrified for Wyatt. Keeping the gun trained on him was his goal. I enjoyed writing this chapter a lot. In a short story we have to get everything right, and I'm happy with the way this one played out. Lucas will get what he deserves, and Virgil saved the day. But, that is not the real story, is it? More to come. Cheers and thanks!

I loved getting the opportunity to use highfalutin' in a story. I wouldn't mind betting a back scrub myself. It's much better than doing it yourself. There seems to be no place for Wyatt. He's existing in this town, but that is all. I think that brings out Virgil's protective nature. The young man can use someone in his corner for a change. Murray does his best, but as a business owner, he can't afford to alienate his clientele. Thanks for reading and commenting, buddy.

The hills must have existed in someone's imagination. In researching town names, I came across some unbelievable names, and wanted to show how they often don't make sense. Matador Hill was my creation. Virgil is a good man, and we learn a lot in this first first chapter. Happy to hear I've got you interested. Westerns, for some reason, have become my guilty pleasure. Thanks and cheers, Dodger.

My very first attempt at writing. I got so swept up in this story and the unbelievable reaction to it, something I truly never expected. I am immensely proud of it, and so glad you have started it. I really hope you like where it goes, Dan. My writing has improved greatly, but this still holds up well enough. Heartbroken? Yeah, and so is Kendall. I poured a lot of emotion into this chapter, and worried it was too much, but readers dispelled those fears pretty quickly. I know about unrequited love, and you're right. It can consume you if you let it, and Kendall knows it has done that to him. He's just trying to survive. Thanks for giving "Cards" a shot, my friend. Cheers! Gary....